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Friday, May 25, 2012

1880s Autograph Album of William J. Matthews of North Searsport, Maine

Autograph album presented to William J. Matthews of North Searsport, Maine, for his years of work as the Sunday School Superintendent, by the Teachers and Scholars of North Searsport, Maine, on Christmas Day 1884.

From online research, hopefully correct:William Janes Matthews was born 9 February 1841 in Maine, the son of Walter and Martha (Dodge) Matthews, who were born in Maine and New Hampshire respectively.His paternal grandparents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Black) Matthews. His maternal grandparents were Ananiah and Elizabeth (Janes) Dodge.On 29 December 1864 at Searsport, Maine, William Janes Matthews married Eliza G. Merithew. She was born 5 April 1842 in Maine, the daughter of Benjamin W. and Theodate (Stevens) Merithew.William and Eliza farmed and raised a family of at least five children at North Searsport, Maine.

One page is a real treasure, as it contains the multiple signatures of William Janes Matthews, his wife Eliza G. (Merithew) Matthews and four of their children: Datie, Mattie, Eliza Winifred and Edwards Adams. Sadly, this page was made after the death of William and Eliza's firstborn, Benjamin Walter Matthews.

Other people with the surname Matthews signed pages.

Lewis Matthews of Searsport, Maine, signed a page in 1886.

Martha W. Matthews of East Boston, Massachusetts, signed a page in 1885:

Ursula Matthews of Searsport, Maine, signed a page in 1886:

One signer identified herself as the niece of William Janes Matthews. She was Mary G. Chapin of Searsport, Maine.

Complete list of signers, in alphabetical order: [Please note that some people may have given the name of the place where they signed rather than their residence.]

Malinda S. Black of Chelsea, Massachusetts, 1886

Maggie A. Catlin of North Searsport, Maine, 1885

Mary G. Chapin of Searsport, Maine, niece

G. Hayden Chase of Searsport, Maine, 1885

George W. Chase of Searsport, Maine, 1885

Mrs. M. J. Chase, 1885

Rosa H. Ellis of Washington, D.C., 1886

Horace G. Hall of North Searsport, Maine, 1885, at Swan Lake

Annie E. Hardon of Contoocook, New Hampshire, at North Searsport, Maine, 1891

May Hardon of Contoocook, New Hampshire, 1891

Jennie M. Harriman, 1886

Z. D. Hartshorn, 1901 (Zenas Downs Hartshorn)

Eloise M. Harvey of North Searsport, Maine, 1885

Fred A. Harvey of North Searsport, Maine, 1885

Laura A. Harvey of North Searsport, Maine, 1885

Maria A. Harvey of North Searsport, Maine, 1885

E. L. Mathews

Datie Beals Matthews, 26 March 1869, on a page shared with her parents and three siblings

Edwards Adams Matthews, 17 April 1876, on a page shared with her parents and three siblings

Eliza G. Matthews, born 5 April 1842, on a page shared with her husband and four children

Eliza Winifred Matthews, 1 Mar 1883, on a page shared with her parents and three siblings, 1892

Lewis H. Matthews of Searsport, Maine, 1886

Martha W. Matthews of East Boston, Massachusetts, 1885

Mattie J. Matthews, 4 March 1879, on a page shared with her parents and three siblings, 1888

Ursula Matthews of Searsport, Maine, 1886

William J. Matthews of North Searsport, Maine, 1884, presentee

William J. Matthews, born February 1841, on a page shared with his wife and four children